Absa Premiership
Full Time: Bidvest Wits 2-1 Kaizer Chiefs
Date: 23 August 2016
Venue: Bidvest Stadium
Kaizer Chiefs crashed to a 2-1 defeat against Bidvest Wits in their first 2016/17 Absa Premiership game of the season at the Bidvest Stadium on Tuesday night.
The first chance on goal came in the 13th minute when an inch perfect right-wing cross from Daine Klate was met by Eleazar Rodgers, but he headed narrowly wide from ten-yards out.
Ten minutes later Wits were on the attack again down the right wing, this time Elias Pelembe with a low cross to find Gabadinho Mhango but he skewed his 12-yard shot inches wide of the target.
In the 34th minute Wits made their impressive wing-play count when Pelembe superbly headed home a left wing cross from S'fiso Hlanti, 1-0.
Mhango nearly made it two before the break when he dribbled his way into the box, but his shot was brilliantly saved by Itumeleng Khune.
The half ended 1-0 in favour of Wits.
Chiefs tried to find their way back into the game after the break and introduced Emmanuel Letlotlo after 57 minutes , but they struggled to find their rhythm and break down a well-organised Wits defence.
Instead, it was the home side who doubled their lead in the 65th minute when captain Thulani Hlatshwayo headed home a Klate corner-kick, 2-0.
With the visitors trailing, Steve Komphela introduced Lewis Macha for his official Chiefs debut in the 72nd minute, as they went in search of goals.
Chiefs did manage to find the back of the net in the 82nd minute when Lorenzo Gordinho headed home a William Twala free-kick, 2-1.
That set-up a frantic final ten minutes, but Wits managed to hold on for the win.
Teams
Bidvest Wits: 16 Josephs, 2 Allie, 3 Hlatshwayo, 7 Klate (6 Gome 69’), 4 Monare, 9 Rodgers (25 Malajila 86’), 11 Pelembe (4 Khumalo 90’), 12 Hlanti, 15 Mkhwanazi, 10 Mhango, 27 Mlambo.
Kaizer Chiefs: 32 Khune, 18 Moleko, 2 Mphahlele, 26 Gordinho, 24 Masilela, 31 Katsande, 12 Maluleka (19 Macha 72’), 29 Twala, 27 Ekstein, 17 Lebese (21 Letlotlo 57’), 25 Parker (22 Manqele 82’).
